Alone With Favor

Alone With Favor

Genesis 6: ⁹ This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God. ¹⁰ And Noah begot three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

 

¹¹ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ¹² So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

 

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Generations had passed since the creation of Adam and Eve. Cain’s descendants were plentiful. They heard stories about GOD throwing humans out of the Garden of Eden. Cain was doubly cursed because he killed his brother over jealousy. No longer would the ground produce fruit for him. Cain possibly was trying to build his own Garden of Eden, which was not pleasing to the LORD.

 

Cain built an entire city. He showed that his ingenuity was a basis of not needing GOD. When GOD would walk with a few people, many would stay away, blaming HIM for being outcast. Noah’s great grandfather Enoch was taken by GOD because of his righteousness. Noah followed in his footsteps, but no one else on earth followed GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Noah walked with the LORD when it was not popular to do so.
• Noah’s siblings did not walk with the LORD and may have sought out the descendants of Cain to learn how to perform various industries.
• Humans stopped walking with GOD, possibly thinking they could overtake the Garden of Eden.

 

Searching all the earth, GOD saw that not one man or woman thought kindly of HIM, except Noah. They despised GOD and did not recognize that HE was the one who provided what little food they had. It was HIS building materials they used to engineer cities, cooking utensils and weapons.

 

The strong and mighty made people bow down to hierarchies that pointed to the rich and powerful. Corruption had reached its pinnacle and the way of life was to take instead of give. BUT GOD saw Noah and was pleased with him.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD repeat the genealogy of Noah to Moses?
• Have you ever tried to serve GOD around selfish people who could care less about HIM?
• If you are alone with your belief in JESUS, will you stand firm so HE can walk with you in unpopular decisions?

Preparation

Preparation

Acts 1: ¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. ¹³ And when they had entered, they went up into the upper room where they were staying: Peter, James, John, and Andrew; Philip and Thomas; Bartholomew and Matthew; James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot; and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.

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Before the trip, a meeting was held. We gathered to discuss what we planned to do on the trip, what we were going to see and what to do if someone went missing or got hurt. During this meeting, exciting things and concerns were discussed. I left feeling prepared.

• On many occasions, I have met with people to prepare.
• On many occasions, I have gathered to hear concerns of others.
• On many occasions, I have tried to address those concerns with the information I knew.

The disciples, many woman and JESUS family gathered in the upper room after JESUS ascended into a cloud. I could only imagine the conversation of amazement and probably a little fear. I mean JESUS, who did amazing things was alive! But now HE was gone. What to do now?

• GOD wants me to prepare for my day by speaking to HIM.
• GOD wants me to gather together with others to hear their excitement and concerns.
• GOD wants me to speak with HIM constantly, because HE is always there.

Two or more hearts who believe in GOD’s power can do amazing things. Their belief touches GOD so much, HE opens their eyes to what HE has already done. HE provides assurance that HE cares by placing the right people around me when I need them. Prayer prepares me.

• How do you start your day?
• Do you speak to GOD, asking HIM to guide you every day?
• Will you gather with others to hear and express excitement about GOD and concerns about their lives and yours?

Slip Away

Matthew 14: ²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

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Rock music blasted on one side, rap on the other. I could not concentrate with all of the noise so I slipped away to a quiet location to study. With no distractions, I could comprehend more.

• Sometimes I needed to get away from the distractions.
• Sometimes I needed to get away from the noise.
• Sometimes I needed to get away from everyone around me so I could concentrate.

Concentration sometimes requires solitude in a peaceful setting. JESUS chose a mountainside. My guess is that HE could see the people HE created and pray for them. HE needed total concentration so HE slipped away from the crowds often to pray.

• GOD wants me to slip away from people in order to have concentrated prayer.
• GOD wants me to sometimes have quick prayer and other times deep concentrated prayer.
• GOD wants me to dismiss the crowd, go to a place and pray for those around me.

There is no definition for “real” prayer. I mean sometimes I can only say a few words “Help me LORD” and other times I can feel praise while other times I can feel deep empathy. GOD wants me to take time to communicate with HIM on a regular basis. Slipping away to talk to HIM about anything definitely clears my heart.

• Are you flooded with thoughts?
• Is it very noisy around you?
• Can you slip away to a quiet place so you can concentrate on the LORD?